Right shoulder blade pain

[krolleo]

I just started riding about 4 months ago. I ride 10-40 miles each time I go out. I ride a road bike. I ride about 4 times a week.

I am having very sharp pain under my right shoulder blade after about 15 miles. Its worse when I get off the bike and go to put my bike away and lift my arm above my head. It gets better when I am not riding but it doesnt completely resolve.

I hear getting a bike fit is supposted to make a HUGE difference. My bike is only $800 and I cannot stomach spending a quarter of the bike price for a fit if its something I can try and fix myself. I may eventually be forced to get a professional bike fit. Any tips or suggestions will be helpful before I drop some more money. I don't have any other pain ANYWHERE and am completely comfy except for that darn shoulder.

I have a history of lower back pain but haven't had any since I've picked up cycling. So I was guessing my initial bike fit from my bike shop was perfect because nothing hurt in the first month or so.

Any tips??
Thanks!

[JennK13]

Check out this link:
http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-4-22-1030-1,00.html

There isn't anything specific about shoulders, though. Seeing how it's just in your right shoulder, it sounds like some kind of imbalance - do you lean to that side? is your left shoulder generally weaker than your right so could you be gripping harder with the right to compensate? I end up with odd pains and discomforts occasionally, and my chiro has been able to fix me with different adjustments (not just to my spine, but my hips, knees, etc, as well). But my bike "fits" me, and when something comes on, I know it's me and not my ride.

A bike fit is well worth the money - I know you "only" spent $800 on your bike and don't want to spend more for a professional fit, but another $100 is worth it so you can ride pain free, rather than your bike becoming an $800 "dust collector" in your garage!! :)

[klesko]

Try to be conscious of your posture when you ride and at other times. See if you are hunching your shoulders - that causes me should pain and I get should blade pain too! Massages help.

[NbyNW]

Shoulders can be complicated. If you are otherwise happy with your fit and your posture, you may want to check with a doctor to rule out anything medical or to discuss whether physical therapy might help with some muscle imbalance that might be causing the pain.

And +1 on massages, I used to go to a massage therapist who did some really good trigger point work on my shoulders when my shoulders would lock up from crutching/caning around.